Chapter 14

Saturday October 23, 1976

Saturday was great. I pulled the solar cover off of the pool and the water was warm. The sun was shining and a gentle breeze was blowing just enough to keep you from becoming overheated. We spent the day in and around the pool.

I found two stocks I marked for Bonnie to have ordered. One looked like it had potential for a quick turnover, but the other would probably be a slower growth. At least I knew that both companies would be there in twenty five years.

We had an early dinner at home and went out to the Starlight Lounge at around 7:30. The place was very different from where we'd gone before. We didn't even go into the bar, but took a large table near the dance floor. We were told there was a cover charge of $10 per couple, so we coughed up $30 for the five of us.

There were some extremely good dancers moving around the floor, and I was almost intimidated. One couple I noticed danced several dances then took a break and sat at their table with three kids ranging in age from around nine to twelve. We saw several family groups, and the whole atmosphere was one of friendly fun.

There were also quite a few couples who appeared to be newly married or dating. No one seemed to be bothered by a kiss or a friendly grope, but there was no out and out necking going on. "I really like this place," I told the group. "People seem to be having fun but I don't see anyone who looks drunk."

It wasn't long before I was gliding around the floor with Bonnie in my arms. When I dance with Bonnie I become ten times as good a dancer as I am with anyone else. I don't know what it is, but we just seem to fit perfectly. We danced to two songs and went back to our table. I was going to ask Beth next, but she wasn't at the table when I got there, so I asked Sharon.

Dancing with Sharon is totally different than dancing with Bonnie. Sharon is every bit as good a dancer as Bonnie, but we are so aware of our bodies sliding against each other that dancing skills fall by the wayside. We swayed and rubbed and smiled our way through a couple of songs then went back to the table again.

Missy was my next victim. As she came into my arms for our first dance I asked her if she knew where Beth was hiding. "She's dancing with Tommy Waters," she told me.

"Who is Tommy Waters?"

"Tommy goes to our school. He's a Freshman."

"Oh. Is he a nice guy?"

"I think he probably is. I don't know him very well. He seems like he's kind of a nerd. I see him and Beth talking all the time though, so I think she knows him pretty well."

"Well, that's good. As long as she's safe. You know the stories of the last two times we went dancing."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure Beth is safe. I'm not so sure about Tommy though. Beth had a very predatory look on her face when I saw them dance by a while ago."

I couldn't help but laugh. For some reason I wasn't jealous at all. "You mean my little sister might try to have her wicked way with the poor little Freshman?"

Missy started laughing too. "Gee, the way you two went at it last night, I'd have thought you'd have been jealous."

"You know, a week ago and I probably would have been. I love Beth with all my heart, and selfishly I'd like to be the only man she's ever with. Realistically though I know that's not going to happen. I think I have finally reached a point where I can share her without being jealous."

"Do you feel the same way about Bonnie?"

I thought for a minute then answered. "I think so. I wouldn't be sure unless it happens, but I feel I could share her. The thing with Butterman was different. He's not someone I could share a toilet with let alone a precious lover."

"Could you share Sharon?"

"No!" I answered emphatically. "Maybe some day I'll be able to, but not now."

"What about me?"

"Missy, you have to know I love you. We've grown closer every day I've been around you. I find I feel more toward you like I do toward Sharon, rather than like how I feel about Beth or Bonnie. Maybe that's because we're not related. I don't know. We've made love, but we haven't had intercourse. That doesn't seem to make a difference in how I feel though. If you fall in love with someone else and leave me, I'll let you go. It'll break my heart though."

"I don't think you have to worry about me falling in love with someone else. I love you too, Mike."

We snuggled together and barely moved to the music for the rest of our two dances.

We went back to our table and sat a couple of dances out. Bonnie and I were sipping on iced tea and the girls both had a Coke. Bonnie and I were talking about stocks when I felt someone lay their hand on my shoulder. I turned around and there was Thelma and another woman.

I got up and asked if they'd like to join us. "I wouldn't want to impose, Mike. I just wanted to say hello and introduce you to Marilyn."

"Hi Marilyn, I'm Mike. This is my mother, Bonnie, my girlfriend, Sharon, and my friend, Missy. Ladies, I don't want to cramp your style. I know you're on the prowl and this is just a family group, but we really would like for you to join us."

Bonnie looked at the two women and smiled. "Thelma, it is nice to see you again. You two are more than welcome to join us."

The two women looked at each other and when Marilyn nodded, Thelma said, "Well, in that case, we'll take you up on your gracious offer."

Thelma slid in beside me, and Marilyn went around to sit beside Bonnie. "What brings you lovely ladies out two nights in a row?" I asked.

"It isn't two in a row, Mike. Marilyn got tied up at work yesterday and couldn't make it, so we postponed it until tonight."

"I'm not sure this is the best place we could have come, now that we're here," Marilyn said. "It seems to be mostly couples and families here."

Bonnie laughed. "If you're man hunting I guess you're right. We've had some bad experiences at a couple of places though so for us it is just right."

"Mike was telling me about the guy Beth put in the hospital," Thelma said. "You must be very proud of her."

"Oh I am, Thelma. Beth is a wonder to me at all times."

"Isn't she with you guys tonight?"

"She is but she isn't. I don't know if she was trolling or not, but she seems to have found a man at least for this evening. Do you know Tommy Waters, Thelma? He's here with his family tonight."

"Yes, Tommy is a Freshman. A very intelligent Freshman. He's a little shy, but seems like a very nice young man."

"He wasn't shy about coming over and asking Beth to dance," Bonnie laughed. "We haven't seen them for the last half hour except on the dance floor."

"Speaking of dancing," I broke in. "Thelma, would you do me the honor of having the next dance with me?"

"Most certainly, kind sir," she said as we got to our feet.

When we got to the floor, I was going to keep a respectful distance between us, but Thelma stepped in close and laid her head on my shoulder. We started moving to the music and I whispered in her ear, "You look absolutely ravishing tonight Thelma."

She leaned her head back and looked at me. "Thank you Mike. It feels good being here in your arms."

"Well, it certainly feels good having you in my arms, Thelma."

"Yesterday you said my breasts looked high and firm," she said blushing profusely. "Do they feel firm pressed against your chest?"

"Yes, sweet lady, they do feel firm, but soft at the same time. In other words they feel absolutely wonderful."

"Mike, I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry. I don't know why, but over the last month I've started feeling very attracted to you. You're only sixteen and I'm thirty three. I know there's no way we could have a relationship, so I shouldn't tease."

"Well, I certainly hope you weren't teasing. I'm very attracted to you as well, sweet lady. It isn't just physical either. You can't imagine how much pleasure I get from just talking with you. The physical attraction is there too, as I'm sure you can tell from what's poking into your belly."

"Oh is that what that is? I thought you had a pool cue in your pocket," she giggled.

We danced for a few minutes and I noticed we were on the opposite side of the floor from our table. I said, "Thelma," and when she looked up at me, I kissed her softly on the lips.

"Oh God!" she said when our lips separated. "That was so nice, Mike, but I wouldn't want to cause problems for you and Sharon."

"You are going to have to let me give you my lecture on love sometime. I love Sharon with all my heart. She loves me the same way. We both believe though that you can love more than one person equally and in the same way. Now, I'm going to shock the shit out of you, if you'll promise to never say anything about what I tell you to anyone else."

"Remember, Mike, I'm a lot older, and not very easy to shock. I do promise never to tell anyone anything you say to me, now or in the future."

"Sharon and I have made love. Sharon has watched me make love to other women. I've watched Sharon make love to other women. Does any of that shock you?"

"Not really, Mike. I was at Woodstock. I watched several couples have sex, and watched one girl take on five guys in a row. The thing that does shock me a little though is your saying that you can love more than one person at the same time. I've always felt that way, but I never knew anyone else did."

"We'll talk about that later, Thelma. I think I'd better give someone else a turn, and I don't want to prevent you from meeting someone interesting."

"Oh, I've met someone interesting alright. Problem is, I'm twice as old as he is."

As we got back to our table and I offered my hand to Bonnie I said, "I don't see that as a problem, Thelma."

When Bonnie glided into my arms she asked, "What was that about?"

"Thelma was coming on pretty strong to me, Sweety."

"How did she come on to you?"